Rhodes College’s 2024 alumni awards were presented during Homecoming/Reunion Weekend Nov. 1-2. MaryKay Loss Carlson, a member of the Class of 1981, is the recipient of this year’s Distinguished Alumni Award, and Kimberly Macharia, a member of the Rhodes Class of 2018, is the recipient of the Distinguished Young Alumni Award. Rhodes Class of 1997 member Darrell Cobbins received the BSA Distinguished Alumni Award.
The Distinguished Alumni Award recognizes alumni who have brought honor to Rhodes College through extraordinary achievement in their profession and community.
MaryKay Loss Carlson has served as United States Ambassador to the Philippines since 2022. Originally from Little Rock, AR, she holds a bachelor’s degree in Spanish and international studies from Rhodes and master’s degrees from Georgetown University and the National War College. A Foreign Service officer since 1985, Carlson also has served at U.S. Diplomatic Missions in China, Ukraine, Hong Kong, Mozambique, Kenya, and the Dominican Republic. She has held the position of Principal Deputy Executive Secretary on the staff of the Secretary of State in Washington, D.C., and has served as Deputy Chief of Mission in New Delhi, India, and Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Now as an ambassador, Carlson continues her dedication to public service and international diplomacy with distinction.
The Distinguished Young Alumni Award recognizes alumni who have not yet reached their tenth reunion but have brought honor to Rhodes College through extraordinary achievement in their profession and community.
Kimberly Macharia is founder and executive director of Brave Leap, a nonprofit that inspires engagement in environmental stewardship. Originally from Marietta, GA, she graduated with a bachelor’s degree in philosophy and moved to New York City, where she began a career in the space industry. She worked at ConsenSys, taking on research and project management roles and even presenting at the United Nations World Space Forum on “The Unifying Powers of Space Debris.” From 2021 to 2024, Macharia served as executive director of Space Prize, which is a nonprofit dedicated to empowering young women to participate in the growing space economy. She also has served on the Space Frontier Foundation’s board of directors, advocating for equitable access to space and sustainable exploration.
The Black Student Association’s Distinguished Alumni Award recognizes African American alumni whose record of outstanding personal achievement and service to others has inspired Rhodes students and brought honor to their alma mater.
Memphian Darrell Cobbins is president and principal of Universal Commercial Real Estate, LLC. He holds a bachelor’s degree in sociology and anthropology from Rhodes and an Executive MBA from The University of Memphis. As a civic leader, he has served on a number of boards for organizations including the Greater Memphis Chamber, New Memphis Institute, National Civil Rights Museum, Boy Scouts of America, United Way of the Mid-South, Memphis Brooks Museum of Art, and Memphis Light, Gas and Water, just to name a few. In addition, Cobbins serves on the Tennessee State Board of Education and is vice chair of the Family Safety Center of Memphis and Shelby County. At Rhodes, he has served on the Alumni Executive Board/Leadership Council and currently is a member of the Board of Trustees. Cobbins’ influence is felt across Memphis and beyond, as he has proven to be an advocate, a leader, and a mentor.